Conventional theatrical lighting fixtures have been used in most mid-sized to larger worship facilities for a few decades. In this article, we will look into why LED lighting fixtures should be considered to replace conventional lighting fixtures.
Technical production equipment has evolved at an accelerated pace over the past 10 years - audio equipment having transitioned from analogue to digital, video from Standard Definition (SD) to High Definition (HD), and lighting fixtures from conventional to LED.
Each discipline has had its own reasons for changing from the old to the new, and some with controversy. In audio, the question was, does digital really sound better than analogue? In video, the question was, does HD really look better than SD? Video is more definitive than audio, and it's all up to debate on some level, but with lighting, the question of which is better can be answered in more ways than one.
LED lights are extremely bright compared to conventional lights, and generate colors in a much more dramatic way.
Energy Efficiency
LED, which stands for Light Emitting Diode, is inherently more efficient than a conventional tungsten halogen fixture, in that it requires much less energy to illuminate the fixture. That efficiency also means some LED fixtures can be powered by Edison-powered wall sockets. A conventional Par fixture can be rated between 200-500 watts, and some conventional Pars can be rated as high as 1,000 watts, while an LED fixture would use anywhere between 25-50 watts.
LED fixtures, being more efficient, emit far less heat in the venue and on stage. They are also safer to handle, because they won't get as hot as conventional fixtures.
Portability
Because LED lights are smaller and often made of plastic, they're lighter and more portable than conventional fixtures.
Economical
LED fixtures are not necessarily cost effective when one has to account for the initial purchase; however, they last an extremely long time. This reduces the cost of the lamps over time and to where the fixtures can actually pay for themselves, compared to the frequency of replacing conventional lighting fixtures. LED lights can last well over 100,000 hours.
Performance
LED lights are extremely bright compared to conventional lights, and generate colors in a much more dramatic way. Although no dimmer rack is required to operate an LED fixture, they would need to be controlled via DMX, in the same way a conventional light would be controlled. Also, you won't need dimmer racks for control, because most LED lights have dimming integrated into each fixture.
The reasons noted on the previous page make for an excellent case to convert conventional lights to LED fixtures, but before committing to make the change, there are other considerations that should not be ignored:
Most LED fixtures provide a wash, and not a pin point source, as a conventional "sharpie" would. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as the ETC LED Source Four. LED fixtures are also limited in the quantity of colors that they can produce.
While many worship facilities are interested in converting to theatrical LED fixtures, others are simply interested in changing their fluorescent house fixtures to LED. It should be noted that in most cases, one would also have to account for the additional cost to replace or rewire the fluorescent ballasts.
Even though LED fixtures are extremely bright, there are some LEDs that lack the intensity of conventional lights. Make sure to be on the lookout for those manufacturers that produce dimmable LED ellipsoidal fixtures that can give you the intensity you need.
Overall, making the change from conventional fixtures to LED lighting fixtures would be a worthy investment, especially over time, and dependent upon your current lighting configuration. If you are building a new worship facility, I would highly recommend considering to install LED lighting fixtures for both your house lights as well as your theatrical lighting needs.